Hearing Loss

Yes there are three different types of hearing loss.

• Sensorineural hearing loss (most common)
• Conductive hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss

There are many studies that have shown that untreated hearing loss can have a significant impact a person's mental, physical and emotional health.

People with hearing loss are at a higher fall risk than their peers with normal hearing. "Researchers have found that people with hearing loss are more at risk for falls. Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., at Johns Hopkins, and his colleague Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D., found that people with a 25-decibel hearing loss, classified as mild, were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling.

Every additional 10-decibels of hearing loss increased the chances of falling by 1.4 fold. This finding still held true, even when researchers accounted for other factors linked with falling, including age, sex, race, cardiovascular disease and vestibular function. Even excluding participants with moderate to severe hearing loss from the analysis didn't change the results."

Hearing loss can impact a person's mental health: "Hearing loss can take a toll on one’s mental health,” said Deborah Litberg, licensed clinical social worker, with Samaritan Lincoln City Medical Center.  “It affects the ability to communicate and socialize, and it affects the quality of interactions with other people. This can be a very isolating feeling."

Recent research has highlighted a significant connection between hearing loss and dementia, revealing that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of cognitive decline. Studies suggest that individuals with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia, while those with moderate to severe hearing loss face an even higher risk. The underlying mechanisms are still being investigated, but scientists believe that the cognitive load required to understand speech with impaired hearing may divert mental resources from other critical brain functions, potentially accelerating the onset of dementia. Furthermore, social isolation resulting from hearing difficulties can lead to reduced mental stimulation, another contributing factor to cognitive decline.

In light of these findings, addressing hearing loss early is crucial not only for maintaining auditory health but also for preserving cognitive function. Researchers emphasize the importance of regular hearing assessments, especially for older adults, and the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices to mitigate the effects of hearing loss. By improving hearing, individuals can enhance their social interactions and cognitive engagement, which may help reduce the risk of dementia. This growing body of evidence underscores the need for integrated healthcare approaches that consider the interplay between sensory health and cognitive well-being.

Here are some great articles to look at the emerging relationship between hearing loss and dementia:

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: New Study Links Hearing Loss With Dementia in Older Adults
• Forbes: New Study Links Use Of Hearing Aids To Reduction In Dementia
• National Council for Aging: Can Hearing Loss Affect Mental Health in Older Adults?
• Harvard Health: Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Get your hearing checked today.
• Alzheimer's Society: Sight and Hearing Loss with Dementia 
• WebMD News Brief: Hearing Aids Could Dramatically Reduce Dementia Risk
• Neuroscience News: Hearing Aids May Protect Against a Higher Risk of Dementia Associated With Hearing Loss
• ScienceDaily: Understanding the Link between Hearing Loss and Dementia

Tinnitus is the sensation of perceiving sounds that have no external source, physically hearing sounds that aren’t there. Tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying problem.

Common sounds that people with tinnitus say they experience are:

- Ringing
- Roaring
- Buzzing
- Humming

While there’s currently no cure for tinnitus, Miracle-Ear hearing aids offer tinnitus treatment, featuring three types of tinnitus controls: static noise, ocean waves and Notch Therapy. Miracle-Ear hearing aids can function as a sound generator or, combined with the hearing aid microphone, can offer tinnitus relief. Together with your hearing care specialist, you can determine what solution is best for you.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have hearing loss, the first step is a comprehensive hearing test.

Your hearing test results will show you whether or not you have hearing loss. Your hearing instrument specialist will walk you through your test results and answer any questions you may have. They will also give you a professional recommendation and demonstration of hearing aids with your specific hearing prescription programmed into them. There is no cost for the consultation or obligation to purchase hearing aids.

Call us today at: 267-838-9685